Meanings
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1
noun
a small but noticeable role or appearance by a well-known person in a film, play, or other work
The director makes a brief cameo near the end of the film.
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2
noun
a piece of jewelry or carved stone bearing a raised relief design, often a profile portrait
Her brooch held a white cameo carved with a woman's head.
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3
verb
to make a brief appearance in a film, performance, or other work
Several former players cameo in the documentary.
Thesaurus
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian cammeo through Medieval Latin camaeus, of uncertain deeper origin. The original object was a small carving in raised relief, often a recognizable head in profile. Cameo role later compared a famous performer's brief, self-contained appearance to that compact and immediately recognizable portrait.